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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Diebctob 

Water-supply Paper 379 



PROFILE SUUVEYS IN 1914 

IN 

UMPQUA RIVER BASIN, OREGON 

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

R. B. MARSHALL, Chief Geographer 



Prepared in cooperation with 
THE STATE OF OREGON 

John H. Lewis, State Engineer 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
1915 



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director 



Water- Supply Paper 379 



PROFILE SURYEYS IN 1914 

IN 

UMPQUA RIVER BASIN, OREGON 



PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

R. B. MARSHALL, Chief Geographer 



Prepared in cooperation with 
THE STATE OF OREGON 

John H. Lewis, State Engineer 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1915 



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D. of D. 
OCT 30 1915 






CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Introduction 5 

Greneral features of Umpqiia River basin 5 

Gaging stations 6 

Publications 7 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Plates I-XI, Plan and profile of Umpqua River from Elkton to Forks and of 
North Umpqua River to Boulder Creek, Oreg. (eleven sheets, 

A-K) At end of volume. 

XII-XIII. Plan and profile of North Umpqua River from Boulder Creek 
to Lake Creek and of Lake Creek to Diamond Lake, Oreg. 
(two sheets, A and B) At end of volume. 

99321°— 15 3 



PROFILE SURVEYS IN 1914 IN UMPQUA RIVER 
BASm, OREGON. 



Prepared under the direction of R. B. Marshall, Chief Geographer. 



INTRODUCTION. 

In order to determine the location of undeveloped water powers 
on the rivers of the United States the United States Geological Sur- 
vey has from time to time made surveys and profiles of some of those 
adapted to the development of power by low or medium heads of 20 
to 100 feet. 

The surveys are made by means of plane table and stadia. Ele- 
vations are based on heights derived from primary or precise levels 
of the United States Geological Survey. The maps are made in the 
field and show not only the outhnes of the river banks, the islands, 
the positions of rapids, falls, shoals, and existing dams, and the,cross- 
ings of all ferries and roads, but the contours of banks to an eleva- 
tion high enough to indicate the possibility of using the stream. 
The elevations of the bench marks left are noted on the field sheets 
in their proper positions. All gaging stations are shown on the 
maps and the elevation of the zero of the gage is given. 

GENERAL FEATURES OF UMPQUA RIVER BASIN. 

Umpqua River is formed by the junction of its North and South 
forks near the city of Roseburg, in Douglas County, Oreg. The 
North Umpqua rises in Diamond Lake, on the summit of the Cascade 
Mountains, at an elevation of 5,300 feet and flows westward. The 
South Umpqua is also formed by two forks- — the northern rising in Old 
Bailey Mountain, about 4 miles south of Diamond Lake, and the 
southern on the northern slope of Abbot Butte — and flows westward 
and northward. From the junction of its principal forks, Umpqua 
River takes a tortuous but in general northerly course to Elkton, 
beyond which its course is more nearly west until it discharges into 
the Pacific Ocean at Winchester Bay, in the northwestern part of 

5 



6 PROFILE SURVEYS IN UMPQUA EIVER BASIN^ OREGON. 

Douglas County. Its drainage area at Scottsburg, just above tide- 
water, comprises about 4,000 square miles. The North Umpqua 
drains 1,080 and the South Umpqua 1,990 square miles. 

The important tributaries of the Umpqua are Smiths River, which 
drains the low mountainous area near the coast; Elk Creek, draining 
the divide between the Umpqua and Willamette basins; Cow Creek, 
which drains the divide between Rogue River and the Umpqua basin; 
and the North and South forks. 

The country is rough and mountainous and the streams flow in 
comparative narrow valleys bordered by narrow stretches of agri- 
cultural land. The general elevation of the headwaters is 6,000 feet, 
but a few snow-capped peaks rise to heights of 8,000 to 10,000 feet. 
As the elevation at Roseburg is 485 feet above sea level, it is evident 
that the North Fork falls nearly 4,800 feet in the 75 miles from Dia- 
mond Lake to Roseburg by the river channel. The lower part of 
the Umpqua has comparatively httle fall, as is shown by the tor- 
tuous winding of the stream. 

The region is one of the most densely forested in the United States, 
and probably 80 per cent of the drainage area can be classed as 
heavily forested. About one-fourth of the forest area is included in 
the national forests; the rest is owned by corporations and indi- 
viduals. 

The mean annual rainfall at Roseburg is 30 inches; at Drain, near 
the divide between the Willamette and Umpqua basins, it is 48 inches. 
The mouth of the stream probably receives as much as 60 inches per 
annum; at the headwaters the precipitation is 100 inches or more. 
Except on the headwaters, all the precipitation is in the form of rain 
during the nine months of the year from September to May. 

Little or no irrigation has been practiced in the Umpqua Valley, 
although a few smaU ditches take water from the smaller creeks 
tributary to the North and South forks. Owing to lack of markets 
the power plants now being operated are all small. 

GAGING STATIONS. 

The Survey has maintained in the basin of Umpqua River the gag- 
ing stations shown by the following list. The stations are arranged 
in downstream order, the main stem of the river being determined 
by measuring or estimating its drainage area — that is, the headwater 
stream draining the largest area is considered the continuation of 
the main stream, and all stations from source to mouth are presented 
first; stations on the tributaries, in regular order from source to 
mouth, follow. Relations of tributaries are indicated by indention. 
The dash following the date indicates that the station was being 



PUBLICATIONS. 7 

maintained June 30, 1915; a period after the date indicates discon- 
tinuance. 

Umpqua River, North Fork of South Umpqua (head of Umpqiia River), near Tiller, 

Oreg., 1910-11. 
South Umpqua River near Brockway, Oreg., 1905- 
Umpqua River near Elkton, Oreg., 1905- 

Cow Creek at Riddle, Oreg., 1911- 

North Umpqua River near Hoaglin, Oreg., 1910- 

North Umpqua River near Oak Creek and Winchester, Oreg., 1905- 

Mill Creek near Ash, Oreg., 1907- 

PTJBLICATIONS. 

Information concerning stream flow at stations in the Umpqua 
River basin has been pubhshed by the Survey in Water-Supply 
Papers 177, 214, 252, 272, 292, 312, 332-C, 362-C, and 394.^ 

Water-supply papers and other publications of the United States 
Geological Survey containing data in regard to the water resources 
of the United States may be obtained or consulted as indicated below. 

1. Copies may be obtained free of charge by applying to the 
Director of the Geological Survey, Washington, D. C, but the edition 
printed for free distribution is small and is soon exhausted. 

2. Copies may be purchased at nominal cost from the Superin- 
tendent of Documents, Government Printing OfTice, Washington, 
D. C, w^ho will on application furnish lists giving prices. 

3. Sets of the reports may be consulted in the libraries of the prin- 
cipal cities in the United States. 

4. Complete sets are available for consultation in the local offices 
of the water-resources branch of the Geological Survey, as follows: 

Albany, N. Y., Room 18, Federal Building. 

Atlanta, Ga., Post Office Building. 

St. Paul, Minn., Old Capitol Building. 

Madison, Wis., Capitol Building. 

Helena, Mont., Montana National Bank Building. 

Denver, Colo., 302 Chamber of Commerce Building. 

Salt Lake City, Utah, Federal Building. 

Boise, Idaho, 615 Idaho Building. 

Portland, Oreg., 416 Couch Building. 

Tacoma, Wash., Federal Building. 

San Francisco, Cal., 328 Customhouse. 

Los Angeles, Cal., Federal Building. 

Honolulu, Hawaii, Kapiolani Building. 

A list of the Geological Survey's pubhcations may be obtained 
b}^ applying to the Director of the United States Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. C. 

1 In preparation. 

O 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 

JOHN H. LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER, ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK. OREGON 



-^^J^VATER-SUPPLV PAPER 379 PLATE 




2 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 

JOHN H. LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER, ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK, OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 379 PUTE 




^B,Ma,sha||,ch,el Geographer 
'''■ Gerdme, Geographer in charge 
"Wirraphy by C. P. McKinley 
Purveyed in 19M 



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Contour interval on land 25 feet 

Contour interval on river surface 5 feet 

Datum is mean sea level 



3 



U S, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 
JOHN H. LEWIS. STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER, ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK, OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 379 PLATE 



R- B, Maishail. Chief Geogfaphef 
T. G, Gefdine, Geogfapher in chaige 
Topogiaphy by C. P. McKmley 




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U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
GEORGE OTIb SMITH. DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 
JOHN H LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER. ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPOUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK. OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 379 PLATE 



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I JB.Maishall, Chief Geoerapher 

j 1 <■■ Gerdme. Geographer in rha 

I "Mpiphy by C. P. McKinley 
I »eyed in 1914 



Contour interval on land 25 feet 
ntour interval on river surface S feet 



U. S, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR 
STATE OF OREGON 
H LEWIS. STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER. ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK, OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 379 PLATE 




« B. Marshall, Chiel Geographei 
T G. Geidine. Geographet in chares 
Topoeraphy by C. P. McKinley 
Surveyed in 1914 



6 



U. S, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 
JOHN H LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER, ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK. OREGON 




U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 
JOHN H LEWIS. STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER. ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK, OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 379 PLATE 



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Contour interval on land 25 feet 

Contour interval on river surface 5 f« 

Datum is meayi aea level 



8 



U, S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 
JOHN H. LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER. ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK, OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY 



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U S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GEORGE oris SMITH, DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 

JOHN H. LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER, ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK. OREGON 



WATER -SUPFLV PAPER 379 PLATE 




10 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GEORGE OTIS SMITH. DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 

JOHN H. LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER, ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK. OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 379 PLATE 




Mafihali, Chief Geogtapher 
T. G. Getdine, Gebgraphef in charge 
Topography by C, P, McKinley 
Surveyed in 1914 



11 



U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR 

STATE OF OREGON 

JOHN H. LEWIS, STATE ENGINEER 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

UMPQUA RIVER. ELKTON TO FORKS 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER TO BOULDER CREEK, OREGON 



WATER SUPPLY PAPER 





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12 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER. BOULDER CREEK TO LAKE CREEK 

AND LAKE CREEK TO DIAMOND LAKE, OREGON 



WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 379 PLATE 




R. B, Marshall, Chief Geoerapher 
T. G. Gerdine. Geogjaplier in charge 
Topography by R, B, Kilgore 
Surveyed in 1914 



13 



PLAN AND PROFILE OF 

NORTH UMPQUA RIVER. BOULDER CREEK TO LAKE CREEK, 

AND LAKE CREEK TO DIAMOND LAKE, OREGON 










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